Congratulations to Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation (YRRF) and founder, Dr. Aisha Jumaan! YRRF is a Wayfind start-up client represented on a pro bono basis by Lorri Dunsmore and Nisha Nariya of Perkins Coie. YRRF was selected as one of the seed projects for the Humanitarian Grand Challenge created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.K.’s Department for International Development. To learn more, see USAID’s press release.

The IRS recently revised Form 1023-EZ, Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and its instructions to help small charities apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. For details, please see the IRS’ Exempt Organizations Update.

The U.S. Department of Labor also recently issued new guidance on unpaid interns. For a summary prepared by Davis Wright Tremaine, please see this alert.

For tax-exempt organizations that use the calendar year as a fiscal year, the deadline for filing a tax return (or extension) is Monday, May 15th! For further details, see the IRS’s recent news bulletin.

Wayfind’s Executive Director, Jodi Nishioka, has been selected as a runner-up for the 2017 Red Winged Leadership Award. Wayfind will receive $2,500 for the award to be presented to Jodi on May 15, 2017. You are welcome to attend and celebrate Jodi’s award with her. Tickets are available here. Congratulations to all the other awardees!

The Red Winged awardees are selected for three traits: leadership, business acumen, and social responsibility. Red Winged leaders make a positive impact on the community through their strong leadership abilities and keen business acumen, grounded in an elevated sense of social responsibility. The awardees are chosen by Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics students in the Leadership Formation Certificate program. For further information about the award, please see Seattle University’s website.

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) has put together an advisory document for nonprofit organizations on immigration enforcement issues. The advisory covers frequently asked questions from nonprofits about how to protect their clients if immigration enforcement agents come to their buildings or if agents try to detain clients. The advisory is available on NWIRP’s website here.

Wayfind stands in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee clients and our legal and community partners who support Washington’s immigrant and refugee populations. Wayfind serves many immigrant and refugee communities, including communities from home countries included in the Administration’s current travel ban. Wayfind is committed to continuing to support immigrant and refugee communities, to provide legal services to nonprofits and microenterprises in those communities and working in solidarity with community partners to ensure the safety and security of those targeted communities.

Wayfind is hiring a part-time Staff Attorney to provide support to the Executive Director on program and communications activities for the organization. We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, community-minded, committed to social justice, and detail oriented. Please see the full job description on our Job Opportunities page.

The Department of Labor announced new overtime regulations that will go into effect on December 1, 2016. These new regulations affect many nonprofits and small businesses. Most employees earning less then $47,500 per year will be entitled to overtime compensation. Wayfind has gathered resources with information on these new regulations for you here. Wayfind will also be putting on trainings in the fall of 2016.

Upcoming Webinars and Trainings on the new Federal Overtime Rules:

Is Your Employee Exempt or Non-Exempt From the New Overtime Requirements?

The Department of Labor has issued new overtime regulations effective December 1, 2016. Under the new regulations, the minimum weekly earnings an exempt employee must earn will increase from $455 to $913 per week. In addition, the new regulations left in place the requirement that in order to be exempt from the overtime requirements, an employee’s primary duties must be considered exempt. But what are considered exempt duties? Under the law, an employee must be a working in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity.

Tune in to our webinar when Sadina Montani of the law firm of Vedder Price will discuss “what is a bona fide executive, administrative or professional employee”. Also, find out what steps an employer should take to make sure its employee are being properly classified. Now is the time to review your employee classifications, before the new wage limits go into effect.

The New Federal Overtime Rules: What Your Nonprofit Needs to Know

October 2016 (Date to be announced), Seattle, WA and Statewide Webinar

Wayfind is hiring a part-time Administrative Assistant to support our Executive Director and Staff Attorney. We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, community-minded, committed to social justice, and detail oriented. Please see the full job description on our Job Opportunities page.